Kentucky Derby Odds: Best Bets for First Leg of the Triple Crown

The 2012 Kentucky Derby has one of the most talented fields Churchill Downs has ever seen, but the 138th running of the Kentucky Derby has three horses who have a clear edge over the other 18 competitors.

The first leg of the 2012 Triple Crown is fast approaching and the closer it gets the more it looks like one of these three horses will come away a victor, and be the only hope for capturing the Triple Crown.

These are the three best bets to win the Kentucky Derby this year, and they are head-and-shoulders above the other horses.

I'll Have Another

I'll Have Another is the most consistent horse in the field this year. He has only had one bad race in his entire career, finishing sixth at the Hopeful Stakes at Saratoga.

He has won both prep races he has run, including a close victory at the Santa Anita Derby, which is a very similar track to the one at Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Derby.

He is almost always in the top three for his races, and he has proven that he can run well on Grade I dirt and over long distances.

I'll Have Another has a great chance of winning the Kentucky Derby this year. He keeps developing well and his win over Creative Cause looks more impressive with every passing day.

Gemologist

Gemologist is the first of two horses who are consistently ranked No. 1 by experts. I'll Have Another has a good chance of winning, but Gemologist has an even better chance.

Following a hard fought victory in the Wood Memorial, Gemologist has become a very trendy pick to win at Churchill Downs. He is a very fast horse who doesn't slow down over long distances and he proved that during his prep races.

Gemologist won at the Kentucky Jockey Club and the Wood Memorial. His win at the Kentucky Jockey Club came at Churchill Downs as well, and both wins came over long distances.

Arguably the best horse in the field, Gemologist has fallen to No. 2 on my list because of this next horse's recent races, but he should still be considered one of the favorites to win the derby.

Bodemeister

After winning by nine lengths at the Arkansas Derby, Bodemeister has become the favorite to win the 2012 Kentucky Derby.

He's been incredibly consistent all spring and he answered the questions about his ability to keep his pace over the long Kentucky Derby track by crushing both of his prep races.

Trainer Bob Baffert and jockey Mike Smith are some of the best in the business. They will have Bodemeister has a great chance of winning, and he will be the one to watch during this year's Kentucky Derby.

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